Post-show-reflection 1

I have a lot of de-briefing with myself to do about the These things happen show. It was a success in almost all aspects, certainly in more than I expected.

But the real question is the real question - can you make a folk photograph? I'm still not sure. Ten people came in to work with me on making one, I think that most of them had seen the show beforehand (but I forgot to ask) so that might indicate that how I see things has some resonance. All of the ten had a story about a family member (eight ancestors, two other). I didn't anticipate this, although now it's astoundingly obvious that this would be the case. Family is the most direct way that people's pasts exist in the present.

This might perversely re-assert my original thinking on this body of work, which was to try and find a role for the art photographer in a world of easy nostalgia filters. I say this because there was no family or biography in the main show, at least not intentionally.

I will be reflecting some more on the show over the next few weeks and will post again as I get a better distance on it all.

I am also going to investigate whether there is interest in other centres in having the show. If you could help me with this I would be most grateful!